GENERAL REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

28 August 2006

Attention New Students:  Your opinion is needed...please take five minutes to fill out our survey--there will be drawings for several prizes!  The above link will take you to a new student page where you can see presentations and handouts from orientation for reference as needed this semester; the survey is the first link.

Reduced Courseload Requests (RCLs):  The last day to submit an RCL to ISSS is 5 September 2006.  All F-1/J-1 graduate students taking less than 9 credits and all F-1/J-1 undergraduate students taking less than 12 credits must submit an RCL in order to maintain their visa status.  Please allow two business days for processing; you will get an e-mail notifying you of the request's approval or denial.

Full-Time Status Letter for Students With Approved Reduced Courseloads:  If your supervisor requires a letter from ISSS stating that you are considered to be full-time with less than nine credits (graduates) or twelve credits (undergraduates), please request a letter.  You should select "Other" for the letter reason and type in "RCL letter" in the text box on the form.  Letters will be issued two business days after your RCL is approved.

GRAD999 Does Not Meet Immigration Requirements: Immigration does not permit audit-grade courses to count towards required courseloads.  Therefore, if you are graduating in the fall or spring and only need to register for graduation purposes, you will need to consult your department for an alternate course that has a pass/fail or letter grade (e.g. 699 or 899); most students are eligible to register for dissertation or thesis credit.   

International Leadership Council:  ILC NEEDS YOU!!!  ILC is an organization by international students for international students; it hopes to combine the efforts of established student groups, welcome students who may not have a group where they feel they "fit in," and educate the campus about the many cultures represented at ODU.  For more information, please e-mail ILC.

Leadership Opportunity for Female Students:  Each fall and spring semester for the last ten years,  the Women's Center has hosted a series of seven workshops for women students at ODU called W.I.L.D.--Women's Institute for Leadership Development.  This is a good opportunity to meet other women and develop skills you can use at ODU and beyond.  The application deadline is 13 September at 4 p.m. but interested applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP (as soon as possible).  Sessions meet on Mondays from 2 until 4 p.m.--please keep your class schedules in mind when applying.  FMI (for more information):  visit the link above or contact the Women's Center.

Reminder About CPT Changes:  If you have not yet completed your thesis/project/dissertation, you must register for credit indicating you are working on it in order to accurately reflect your .  Therefore, you will need to register for your project and your CPT credits; it will not be possible to process your application unless both are on your record for the semester.  Your advisor or GPD can assist you

Want to Join the ODU Orchestra?:  Have you studied an orchestral instrument and are eager to continue playing while at ODU?  If so, consider joining the ODU Orchestra this year.  They meet in Diehn Fine Arts Building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 until 7:30 p.m.; they present three concerts during the year.  This is a great way to meet people with similar interests, besides having the opportunity to perform great repertoire!  Please contact the conductor, Dr. Lucy Manning, via e-mail or at 757-683-6114 for more information.

University Closed:  In observance of Labor Day, the University will be closed on Monday, 4 September.

Getting Involved @ ODU:  The Main Street Organizational & Volunteer Fair will be held on Thursday, 7 September from 11:30 until 2:00 p.m. on Kaufman Mall in front of Webb Center.  This is a great way to connect with student organizations and becoming an active member of the ODU community.  There will be food, music and fun--be sure to add this to your calendar!

Free Spouse English Class:  If you have a spouse here who would like to get some practice with conversational English, the Applied Linguistics program at ODU will have its regular Spouse English Class starting on Wednesday, 6 September.  Lessons will be held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. in Spong 102 through 29 November.  Children may accompany parents but the classes are geared towards adults.  No registration is needed...spouses need only to show up at the classroom the day of the first class.  Please contact the teacher if you have any questions.   

ISSS WISHES YOU A VERY
SUCCESSFUL FALL SEMESTER!